Draa Valley palm groves
One of the longest date-palm oases anywhere — the two-hour drive south of Ouarzazate threads hundreds of thousands of palms, kasbahs and gardens that have sustained Berber and Arab communities for centuries.
Marrakech, MoroccoConcierge · 7 Days · 9–21H GMT+1
Draa Valley · Southeast Morocco
Zagora, Morocco
Gateway to Erg Chigaga — a palm-fringed Draa Valley oasis on the threshold of the deep Sahara, far down the long road south from Marrakech.
Best time
October–March (summer temperatures regularly exceed 42°C)
Recommended
1–2 nights (en route to Erg Chigaga)
Airport
Ouarzazate (OZZ) + 2h drive, or Marrakech (RAK) + 6h drive
Region
Draa Valley · Southeast Morocco
Why Zagora
Zagora is the principal oasis town of the Draa Valley, Morocco's longest river valley, which runs some 200 km south-east of Ouarzazate down a corridor of date-palm groves, mudbrick kasbahs and nomadic camps before it dissolves into pre-Saharan hammada. The hand-painted road sign reading 'Tombouctou 52 jours' — 52 days to Timbuktu by camel — captures its old role as a halt on the trans-Saharan caravan route and a Saadian stronghold. For travellers pushing deep south out of Marrakech, Zagora is the launch point for Erg Chigaga, the wildest of Morocco's great dune fields, reached by 4x4 from M'Hamid, 98 km on.
What to see
Highlights of Zagora.
Erg Chigaga expedition
Morocco's wildest dune field, 45 km south-west of M'Hamid by 4x4 track — a sea of sand cresting at 100m, with no asphalt and only a scatter of camps. The pick once Erg Chebbi is behind you.
Jbel Zagora viewpoint
A steady 90-minute climb up the flat-topped volcanic mesa above town, paying off with the entire oasis corridor and the Anti-Atlas ridgeline spread out below.
M'Hamid & the nomadic piste
The last town on the tarmac, two hours south of Zagora — the jumping-off point for camel treks, desert bivouacs and the long piste west to Foum Zguid.
Itineraries
Our Zagora tours.
Every itinerary below is privately operated, fully customisable, and includes a deep stop in Zagora. Click any tour for the day-by-day plan, the map, dates and pricing.
5 days
The silence of Chigaga
A private 4x4 expedition running south from Marrakech down the Draa Valley to the remote Erg Chigaga dunes, with three nights under canvas and Berber hosts.
from $1,240Enquire →
2 days
Draa Valley & Zagora overnight
A private drive down the palm corridor from Ouarzazate, a night in Zagora, sunset from Jbel Zagora and onward toward M'Hamid.
from $680Enquire →
Before you go
Practical notes.
- Getting there: 2h from Ouarzazate on the N9; 6h from Marrakech via the Tizi n'Tichka and Ouarzazate
- 4x4 required: The piste out to Erg Chigaga is unpaved and needs a high-clearance 4x4 — we lay on the vehicle and a seasoned driver
- Best combined with: Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou and the Dadès Gorge across a full southern loop
- Currency: Cash only out in M'Hamid; the ATMs are back in Zagora town centre
Concierge
Have your Zagora trip designed by a local
Tell us your dates, group size and pace. We'll send back a written proposal within 24 hours — private guides, transfers, riads, the lot.
Request a proposalFAQ
Zagora — common questions.
Zagora or Merzouga for a Sahara trip?+
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) is the easier reach and the more photographed, classic dune. Zagora is the springboard for Erg Chigaga — bigger, wilder, far less visited and reached only by a 4x4 crossing. If Merzouga is already done, Chigaga via Zagora is the step up.
How far is Zagora from Marrakech?+
About 370 km — roughly a six-hour drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and through Ouarzazate. We break it over two days, folding in Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate so the journey itself becomes part of the trip.
Is Zagora worth it beyond the dunes?+
Yes — the Draa Valley palm corridor is one of the great scenic drives in Morocco, the climb up Jbel Zagora sticks with you, and the kasbah villages strung along the valley are authentic and barely visited.
When is the best time to visit Zagora?+
October through March, when days hold a comfortable 18–28°C. July and August regularly top 42°C, when many camps close and outdoor activity is confined to the early morning.
Closest destinations
Pair Zagora with.
These destinations are closest to Zagora — easily combined on a private itinerary.
57 kmDraa Valley · Far south Morocco
M'Hamid el Ghizlane
Where the desert road ends south of Marrakech — M'Hamid el Ghizlane, the last town before the Erg Chigaga sands.
Explore
107 kmPre-Sahara · Drâa-Tafilalet
Skoura
Skoura is a palm-oasis town east of Ouarzazate, prized for its earthen kasbahs and the beautifully restored Kasbah Amerdil.
Explore
121 kmPre-Sahara · Southern Morocco
Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou
The Hollywood of the south — kasbahs and film studios just over the Atlas pass from Marrakech, on the road down to the dunes.
ExploreRead more
From the journal.
Stories, guides and practical tips to help you plan your time in Zagora and beyond.